Overnight and Drive changes at Asian Network

BBC Asian Network is switching its overnight service from BBC Radio 5 live to BBC Radio 1Xtra between 1am and 6am each night.

In other changes at the station, former Student Radio award winner Yasser is to host a new afternoon drive show and the Official Asian Music Chart moving to his Friday show.

Yasser will be hosting a new time slot for the station, from 4pm till 7pm. Bobby Friction is moving to a new time of 7pm till 10pm (Monday to Thursday) with Asian Network Reports continuing at 5.30 till 6pm.

Also, investigative journalist and filmmaker Mobeen Azhar will host a new talk show, Monday-Thursdays from 10pm till midnight which aims to address key issues for young people. The station has also signed DJ and music producer Nucleya to host a new show on Sunday evenings. Bobby Friction will continue to champion new music across the week from 7-10pm.

Manchester-born Yasser started out at BBC Asian Network in 2012 and has since presented a range of shows including a weekly new-music show on the BBC Asian Network and The Official Asian Music Chart. Yasser joined Asian Network after nominations for Best Male Presenter and Best Specialist Music show at the BBC Radio 1 National Student Radio awards. He’s also fronted the BBC Introducing Stages at Glastonbury, T in the Park, plus Reading and Leeds Festival, as well as presenting documentaries such as Young, British and Sober for the Asian Network.

Yasser says: “It’s an honour to be hosting the infamous drive time slot on the BBC Asian Network. I’ve been an avid listener for years and it’s a dream come true to be hosting such a big show. It’s an exciting time for the network and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”

In other schedule changes, BBC Asian Network announced a brand new show, Asian Network Residency (Saturdays, 10pm-1am), championing the next generation of new DJ talent. Mawaan and Emily’s show moves to a daytime slot on Saturday afternoons (1-4pm), and Derby born AJD will host a new show on Saturdays (4-7pm) with Panjabi Hit Squad presenting a new additional Friday night show.

Ben Cooper, Controller, Radio 1, 1Xtra and Asian Network, says: “I can’t wait to hear this brand new schedule full of inspiring, authentic and passionate presenters who will celebrate British Asian culture.”